Birding in Neighborhoods - North

By Nancy Luenn

Birding in Neighborhoods North (BIN North) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. We meet in the parking area of the month’s destination. To be added to (or removed from) the monthly outing reminders email Denise Marion or Nancy Luenn

October 8: Cloudy skies greeted us as we gathered at Dugualla Bay, but the tide was perfect. A strip of beach brought seabirds close to shore. We successfully identified three species of gulls: California, Glaucous-winged and Ring-billed. The salt marsh featured exposed mud, channels of water and close-up views of Greater Yellowlegs and Killdeer. Northern Shovelers and Northern Pintails were feeding at the far side of the marsh. We heard, but did not see, a Long-billed Dowitcher. 

As we arrived at Ala Spit, the sun emerged. The water was calm and the spit was walkable. We had an excellent view of a flock of Black Oystercatchers along the outer shore. Even more rewarding was sighting a group of female Common Mergansers dipping their heads into the water to fish. One raised her head with a good-sized fish in her bill. 

Walking on the spit, we saw Double-crested Cormorants flying past. We could clearly see their markings. We spotted the resident Belted Kingfisher flying back and forth across the water. During our walk back along the spit, the female Common Mergansers had moved to the cove between the spit and the shore. We counted at least 18 mergansers.

Total species: 23.

Satisfaction factor: high.